All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NET
Incentive
Unity
Disapproval
Leisure
Final
Final
"Net" is a noun with different meanings. A "net" can be a device used for fishing, or an overall end result. Based on all the choices final is a synonym for the second definition, and therefore the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REPROACH
Whirl
Identify
Congratulate
Bend
Fault
Fault
“Reproach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “reproach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “reproach” means “to express disapproval or disappointment,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “express disapproval or disappointment.” That means that “congratulate” cannot be the correct answer, because “congratulate” means “to praise for a particular achievement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reproach.” “Fault,” however, when used as a verb, means “criticize for inadequacy or mistakes,” and because “fault” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reproach,” “fault” is the correct answer.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAULT
Hurdle
Forget
Motion
Tumble
Run
Hurdle
“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BREACH
Obey
Skirt
Infringe
Mix
Excuse
Infringe
“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.
Example Question #15 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTER
Perform
Say
Complain
Herald
Miss
Say
"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.
Example Question #16 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRIEF
Fabricate
Cover
Shorten
Inform
Sculpt
Inform
To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.
Example Question #17 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGINEER
Contrive
Proselytise
Record
Partake
Travel
Contrive
To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Punctual
Tiny
Quiet
Pious
Worldly
Tiny
One definition of minute is very small.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURB
Sort
Ostracize
Mollify
Restrain
Harmonize
Restrain
To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRANCH
Bills
Division
Banknotes
Currency
Coinage
Division
The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.
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All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
